Rezoning Sought Again

SALUDA — An Essex County man who wants to build a home on an island in the Rappahannock River has made a second application to Middlesex County to make necessary changes to the island's zoning.

Gary Grabb owns the 30-acre Parrott Island, which is just off the mouth of Locklies Creek near the Robert O. Norris Bridge over the Rappahannock River. A previous attempt to have five acres rezoned from conservation to low density rural was rebuffed by the county Planning Commission Feb. 20.

Grabb has returned with a request for conditional zoning, according to county Planner Brian Wagner. In his application, he says he would build two dwellings with no more than a total of six bedrooms.

Grabb also offers to take measures to check erosion on the island's shores. He would create a reserve drainfield for his septic tanks by using a mound system and would not allow vehicles on the island.